Weeds Continued from Page 7
The sample came back as over 95% re- sistant to ALS products. Gallagher changed to a herbicide program that used differ- ent effective modes of action, including a product applied into the water and an earlier application of propanil herbicide better timed to the most susceptible grass growth stage. He followed up with a differ- ent herbicide in areas for broadleaf weeds and any remaining grass escapes, resulting in excellent weed control. In addition to choosing the right her- bicide, Gallagher said other key factors to increase weed control effectiveness are applying the product at the right rate and at the right timing—even if that means the use of a ground rig or an extra spray. In existence since 2015, the weed seed testing program is funded by the California Rice Research Board. Growers and PCAs who collect seeds from weeds they suspect of being herbicide resistant may drop off samples at the Rice Experiment Station in Biggs in August and September. They may also drop them off at their local UCCE farm advisor’s office. The number of samples tested annu- ally varies from year to year. In 2021, for example, the program tested 36 samples, Al-Khatib said. In 2022, 80 samples were tested. At its peak in 2017, the program tested more than 180 samples. Each year, he said, a small number of
University of California Cooperative Extension specialist Kassim Al-Khatib, above, is testing rice weeds, such as the three varieties shown on the right, for resistance to herbicides.
samples go untested because the seeds may have been damaged or are immature and won’t germinate. Among the weed seeds submitted for testing have been barnyardgrass, early and late watergrass, smallflower umbrel- la sedge, sprangletop, ricefield bulrush and redstem. Al-Khatib plants the seeds in pots filled with field soil in a greenhouse. Depending on the species, he may expose them to win- ter-like temperatures to break dormancy and put them in germination mode.
Based on the weed species and herbicide label instructions, he makes either pre- or post-emergent treatments. In addition, he applies the herbicides at both a single and double rate. At the same time, he treats a susceptible biotype of the weed species and leaves a weed sample untreated. After three weeks, Al-Khatib visually rates each treatment for weed survival, comparing it to the susceptible and un- treated plants and recording the results. He sends each person who submitted a sample a report card that shows which herbicides labeled for the weeds worked and which ones didn’t. It also breaks down control, showing the percentage of weed samples that were susceptible and the per- centage that survived treatment. In addition, the report card includes a photo of the individual sample and how it responded to treatments compared to the untreated one. Gallagher said having photos helps him better explain the situ- ation to growers. “You can tell them a percentage or a number, but some of these growers really
need the photos,” he said. Al-Khatib said he tries to complete testing and report cards by March so rice growers and PCAs have time to develop their herbicide programs before the up- coming season. The bulk of Sacramento Valley rice is planted between mid-April and mid-May. Based on submitted samples, Al-Khatib said watergrass species, smallflower um- brella sedge and sprangletop appear to be the most problematic weeds as far as herbicide resistance. Among the registered herbicides, ALS- and PSII-inhibitors have the highest incidence of resistance, ac- cording to the test results. Al-Khatib said that is likely due to their popularity and widespread use. For more information on weed seed testing, including instructions on how to submit samples, visit UC’s rice website at https://rice.ucanr.edu/Resistant_Weed_ Seed_Testing/. (Vicky Boyd is a reporter in Modesto. She may be contacted at vlboyd@att.net.)
The Produce Safety Rule is Here; ARE YOU READY?
Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS), an a liated company of the California Farm Bureau (CAFB), has partnered with the Safe Food Alliance through a California Department of Food and Agriculture grant contract. What sets Safe Food Alliance, FELS, and Farm Bureau apart is their total of over 100 years of experience and our dedication to providing technical guidance and leadership to the California agriculture community. Most farms are required to have at least one designated supervisor who has been trained in accordance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety rule. Upon completion of the course, attendees will receive an o cial certi cate from the Association of Food & Drug O cials.
Ag Legacy Symposium will offer tips on farm succession
Farm management specialists, estate planning lawyers, financial advisors, and farmers and ranchers will come together Feb. 25 for a day-long seminar on the com- plexities of farm and business succcession. The Ag Legacy Symposium at California State University, Chico, is intended to ed- ucate farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses on the process of transferring property or business assets from one gen- eration to the next. Sessions cover topics from finances to family dynamics. “The event features a very high cal- iber of speakers that will share critical knowledge to help your family survive generational transfer and will share les- sons learned,” said symposium co-host Tracy Schohr, a University of California Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resource advisor. Speakers include: farm management
and succession planning specialists Jeffrey Tranel of Colorado State University Extension and John Hewett of University of Wyoming Extension; financial advi- sor Tommy Irvine; and Mindi Reid and Amanda Predrett, attorneys specializing in estate planning and agriculture. In addition, Alameda County ranch- er Tim Koopmann will discuss his story of preserving the family ranching lega- cy and navigating the succession pro- cess. Diversified Butte County farmer Ryan Schohr will talk about unexpected challenges that can occur from a lack of estate planning. The event begins at 9 a.m. at The University Farm at Chico State. To purchase tickets, visit https://surveys.ucanr.edu/ survey.cfm?surveynumber=39843. For more information, contact Tracy Schohr at tkschohr@ucdavis.edu or 916-716-2643.
The Food Safety Training Partnership is offering these training courses throughout California. You can find more information and register at
foodsafetytrainingpartnership.com, or call 916-561-5672. Supported by California Department of Food and Agriculture
8 Ag Alert February 15, 2023
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